GRAIN AND SEED REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1974, 19 September 1889, Page 18

GRAIN AND SEED REPORT.

Messrs Samuel Orb and Co., Stafford atireee, report for the week ending September 18, aa follows : —

The weather has again been of a true spring character, we having had a few showers at night and bright sunshine during the day ; and in the minds of the oldest identities they never saw Buch a season, and the grass in consequence is coming away beautifully. With regard to our grain market, ib is with much regret we have to say that we never saw it in such a stagnant Btate, as not only have prices still further receded, but several buyers being out of the market, give only a limited number who will at all operate, and these do so with vfery great caution on account of the reports from all quarters of the state of fehe markets, concerning which we will make a few remarks. In Sydney splendid rains have fallen over the greater part of the colony, so that grass is coming away luxuriantly, while they have a large crop of maize to work upon and California still sending in supplies of wheat and oats. Adelaide and Brisbane are working upon these, while their pasture and crops are looking exceptionally good. Coming then, to Melbourne, they over there being supplied also from California by Sydney with oats, and their grass is very good, too, in many parts ; while it is said they will have their harvest earlier than usual in mo3t parts, though in the Goulburn Valley floods, having taken place, a large area of their crop will be valueless ; but it being early In the season, it will be utilised for maize and pasture. From Home we have the intelligence by mail that rain had done some damage to the crops, and has thus reduced the yield estimated. This, too, was the case on the Continent ;. w hile Russia was suffering from drought. In nearly all other places, the yields were expected to be large, and this has partly been confirmed by cable. At the time we speak of the market firmed, but it was onlytemporary, as since then it has got gradually weaker and weaker. Summarising these reports, it cannot be wondered at that both wheat and oats have declined. Our quotations are: For prime milling wheat, 3s 6d to 3s 8d ; medium neglected and unsaleable, unless at price of fowl feed, which Ib from, 2s 6d to 3s Id.

Oats.— To enable some shippers who had stocks on their hands to get them away, a special, steamer was put on which has cleared stocks up fairly well, but' the further decline in the Melbourne iparket broughtprices down, and to-day prime milling is only worth at the outside 2s 7d, and then only a limited demand; heavy bright feed, 2s 6d ; medium, 2s 4d to 2s sd.

Barley.- There ia njs business transpiring, so give no quotations.

Chaff.— The supply coming forward has been far in excess of requirements, and naturally prices are easier, £3 15s being the tap for prime oaten sheaf and well cut.

Grass Seed.— Ryegrass : A very good demand now exists for this, sales taking place at from 8s 9d to 4s 3d for machine-dressed, local grown. Farmers' lots are nothing like in they used to be. Poverty Bay ryegrass f»om 5s 6d to 6s. Cooksfoot Is in pretty good supply, as also timothy, prices remaining the same as our previous quotations.